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Longtime College Football Head Coach To Join Dabo Swinney at Clemson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Feb 10, 2025 4:07 PM ET

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are reportedly hiring a longtime college football head coach after winning the ACC.

Clemson returned to the top of the conference in 2024, beating SMU in the ACC title game and making a College Football Playoff appearance. It was the program's first ACC championship since 2022 and the first playoff berth since 2020.

Swinney and Co. made a major coaching splash this offseason by pulling away acclaimed defensive coordinator Tom Allen from Penn State.

And, in another notable staff move, the Tigers are expected to sign former FCS national champion head coach Mike Houston, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.

Houston, 53, spent the last six seasons as head coach at East Carolina. The Pirates had four consecutive losing seasons before Houston took the helm. He helped lead the program to a winning season in 2021 before going 8-5 and winning a bowl game the following season, the first bowl win for the Pirates since 2013.

The Franklin, North Carolina, native previously served as head coach for James Madison in the FCS. Houston led the Dukes to a 14-1 record and a national championship in his first season in 2016 before returning to the title game the following year.

According to the report, Houston is expected to serve on the defensive staff at Clemson under Allen. Houston got his start as defensive coordinator in the North Carolina high school ranks before serving in the same role at Brevard and Lenoir–Rhyne.

There is no shortage of talent for Clemson next season, as the Tigers return star quarterback Cade Klubnik and a slew of defensive stars. Defensive linemen TJ Parker and Peter Woods return along with cornerback Avieon Terrell and linebacker Sammy Brown.

The Tigers will kickoff the 2025 season at home against LSU on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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